- United States invades Grenada
- President Ronald Reagan proposes the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI).
- The video game Mario Bros. was first released as a Nintendo arcade game in Japan
- The US deploys Cruise Missiles in Europe at the Greenham Common Air Force Base in England
- Brinks Mat warehouse robbery at Heathrow Airport making off with three tons of gold bars valued at $37.5 million
- IRA Bomb Exploded outside Harrods on December 17th during the pre Christmas Shopping Season
- The first mobile phones, are introduced to the public by the Motorola Company.
- ARPANET officially changes to use the Internet Protocol, creating the Internet.
- Final Episode of M*A*S*H airs record 125 million watch
- Cabbage Patch Dolls are sold in shops and become a success
More Detailed Information on each Event and those not included can be found below
What happened in 1983 Major News Stories include IBM releases the IBM PC XT, Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) Proposed, Harrods Bombing, Space Shuttle Challenger is launched Maiden Flight, . The worlds most popular word processing programme is launched Microsoft Word. Following on from the start of the recession in the US Unemployment Rises to 12 million. In Ethiopia following the worst drought in history the death toll reaches a staggering 4 million. The US starts deploying Cruise Missiles and Pershing Missiles in Europe at the Greenham Common Air Force Base in England and West Germany amid mass protest
Cost of Living 1983 - How Much things cost
Yearly Inflation Rate USA3.22%
Year End Close Dow Jones 1258
Interest Rates Year End Federal Reserve 11.00%
Average Cost of new house $82,600
Median Price Of and Existing Home $70,300 -
Average Monthly Rent $335.00
Cost of a gallon of Gas 96 cents
Dodge RAM 50 Truck $5665.00
Volkswagen Rabbit $6,994.00
Ford Mustang $6,572.00
Timex Sinclair Color Computer $179.99
Milk 2% Gallon $1.35
Kraft Singles Cheese (12) $1.49
Mens Leather Shoes $39.99
Chicago, Illinois
Townhouse 2 bed 1 bath $47,000
Average Income per year $21,070.00
A few UK Examples in Pounds Sterling
Average House Price 34,795
Gallon of Petrol 1.25
BOE Interest Rates Year End 9.06%
Yearly Inflation Rate UK 4.6%
Hurricane Alicia
Hurricane Alicia hits the Texas coast, killing 21.
Hurricane Alicia hits the Texas coast during August of 1983 causing billions of dollars worth of damage to the region. The category 3 storm directly hit Galveston and Houston on the Gulf Coast and was the first hurricane to make landfall in the United States in 3 years. Hurricane Alicia had wind gusts of up to 127 mph and storm surges of up to 12 feet in height ravaged coastal neighborhoods. As a result of the storm 21 people were killed and about 3,000 homes were severely damaged.
United States invades Grenada
More Information and Timeline for the U.S. invasion of Grenada
1. The United States invades Grenada on October 25th of 1983.
2. Over 5,000 Marines were sent to the island after the government was overthrown in a bloody coup by a Cuban trained military force.
3. At the time, there were about 1,000 United States civilians in the country, most of them medical students.
4. President Reagan ordered the invasion citing the need to protect the American citizens in the country but also using it as an excuse to stem the tide of Communism in the Caribbean.
5. Overall, the U.S. invasion was a success despite encountering resistance. The U.S. civilians were rescued, the Cuban troops surrendered, and there were only 19 U.S. troop casualties in total.
Space -- NASA's STS-7 Mission
NASA’s STS-7 mission was completed successfully during June. The mission carried five astronauts aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger on a 6 day flight. The crew carried out several experiments and deployed two satellites. This mission was notable in that it was Sally Ride’s first space flight, making her the first American woman in space. Twenty years earlier, the Soviet Union had already sent the first woman to space with Valentina Tereshkova aboard Vostok 6 in 1963.
Strategic Defense Initiative SDI
President Ronald Reagan proposes the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI).
More Information for the Strategic Defense Initiative
1. U.S. President Ronald Reagan publicly proposes the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) during a televised address in March of 1983.
2. The proposed defense system was a highly advanced system that would rely on technology that had not yet been developed to intercept and prevent a nuclear missile attack on the U.S. by the Soviet Union.
3. The plan was called “Star Wars” by many critics who thought it impossible to create with the restrictions of the current capabilities of technology during the decade.
4. SDI began development in the following year under the Department of Defense but its funding ended after the Cold War ended and before anything could be completed.
Mario Bros. Game Debuts
The video game Mario Bros. was first released as a Nintendo arcade game in Japan during July. The game was designed by Shigeru Miyamoto (who also designed the Legend of Zelda and Donkey Kong) and Gunpei Yokoi (who also created Metroid and the Game Boy) and was a platform style game with phases. The Mario Bros. game featured the now iconic characters of Mario and his brother Luigi, two plumbers who battled sewer creatures in New York. The game was not initially successful as at the time of its release the video game industry was going through a crash, but it became a successful series of games after the release of Super Mario Bros. in 1985 for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) gaming console.
NASA’s STS-8 Mission
NASA’s STS-8 mission comes to an end during September. The Space Shuttle Challenger launched from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida carrying a crew of five including Guion Bluford who became the first African-American astronaut to fly in space. The mission’s objectives focused on studying the physiological effects of space on the human body, specifically Space Adaptation Syndrome (space sickness). STS-8 successfully returned to Earth after six days and landed at the Edwards Air Force Base in California.
Fraggle Rock
The children's show "Fraggle Rock" debuts on HBO as one of the premium cable network's first original programs.
More Information and Timeline for Fraggle Rock.
1. Fraggle Rock premieres during January of 1983 on HBO.
2. The show was one of HBO’s first original programs and was created and produced by Jim Henson.
3. Fraggle Rock focused on the interactions between a group of muppets called Fraggles and other groups within their world.
4. Many of the episodes featured stories that revolved around conflicts between the Fraggles and the other groups despite the fact that they all depended on each other to survive.
5. Fraggle Rock had a total of 96 episodes and ran until 1987.
6. The show’s creators had hoped it would promote concepts of world peace and it was shown around the world, in nearly one hundred different countries.
From our 1983 Toys Page
Cabbage Patch Kids
Manufacturer: Coleco
Price: $19.99 each
Adopt one and fill a little heart with all your love. They've got baby-soft vinyl faces, big wistful eyes, pudgy fingers and toes, dimpled knees and elbows.. even a cute belly button. Each doll is unique and comes with special birth certificates and adoption papers.
From our 1980s Furniture Page
1989 Videotape Storage Cabinet
Price: $79.99
This custom-crafted oak-grained cabinet opens to reveal storage for up to 120 video tapes. With inserts included, holds 92 video tapes, 18 CD's and 14 audio cassettes. Doors lock for complete security.
1980s Ladies Dresses
From 1983 Side Button Dress
Price: $24.00
Description : Intriguing side-buttons let you be as daring as you wish! Dress has an elasticized peplum-waist and a vinyl-patent belt. Polyester knit in stand-out magenta with black print.
< 1980s Home Electrical
1988 CD Cassette Boom Box
Price: $288.88
You can listen to up to 16 tracks in any order, or repeat your favorite song with the CD play on this boom box. Automatic music sensor moves forward or back to the next selection. Five-band graphic equalizer.
More News and Key Events From 1983
Population
The Worlds Population is estimated at 4.72 billion
China's Population reaches 1 billion
Rhodesia / Zimbabwe
Civil War breaks out in Zimbabwe
Earthquake New York
A 5.2 earthquake hits Central New York
Richard Noble land speed record
Richard Noble sets a new land speed record of 633.468 mph, driving Thrust 2 at the Black Rock Desert, Nevada.
Cruise Missiles
The US deploys Cruise Missiles in Europe at the Greenham Common Air Force Base in England and Deploys Pershing Missiles in West Germany
Due to the deployment of Cruise Missiles in the UK CND organises marches and rallies with over 200,000 attending.
Brinks Mat robbery
Brinks Mat warehouse robbery at Heathrow Airport making off with three tons of gold bars valued at $37.5 million
Maze High Security Prison
Mass prisoner breakout from Maze High Security Prison near Lisburn, Northern Ireland
UK Seatbelt Law
Seatbelt use for drivers and front seat passengers becomes mandatory in the United Kingdom.
U.S Embassy is bombed in Beirut
A Terrorist attack by a suicide bomber on the U.S Embassy in Beirut, killing 63 people
U.S. Unemployment
Unemployment Rises in the US to 12 million the highest figure since 1941
Harrods Bombing
IRA Bomb Exploded outside Harrods on December 17th during the pre Christmas Shopping Season
Ethiopia Famine
Ethiopia Appeals for world Aid for when the death toll reaches4 million
Philippines
The Philippines opposition leader, Benigno Aquino, assassinated
First mobile phones
The first mobile phones, are introduced to the public by the Motorola Company.
Breakfast TV
Breakfast TV starts in UK with the BBC Breakfast Time and TV-am
Sally Ride
Sally Ride on June 18 News Events becomes first American woman in space on the Space Shuttle Challenger.
Margaret Thatcher
Margaret Thatcher wins landslide victory in General Elections in the UK
Argentina
Raúl Ricardo Alfonsín wins democratic elections to become the President of Argentina
Technology
ARPANET officially changes to use the Internet Protocol, creating the Internet.
Lotus 1-2-3 is released
IBM releases the IBM PC XT
US Space Shuttle Challenger is launched on it's maiden flight
Microsoft Word is first released
The First Person to Receive an Artificial Heart Barney Clark US dies after 112 days
Swatch introduce their first watches
Popular Culture 1983
Final Episode of M*A*S*H airs record 125 million watch
Cabbage Patch Dolls are sold in shops and become a success
West German news magazine Stern publish the Hitler Diaries which turn out to be Forgeries
Popular Films
Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
Tootsie
Trading Places
WarGames
Superman III
Flashdance
Staying Alive
Octopussy
National Lampoon's Vacation
Never Say Never Again
Terms of Endearment
Yentl
Educating Rita
Popular Musicians
Phil Collins
The Police with " Every Breath that you take "
Hot Chocolate
Big Country
Black Sabbath
David Bowie
Johnny Cash
Culture Club
Duran Duran
Elton John
Pink Floyd
Ozzy Osbourne
Lionel Richie with " All Night Long "
Rod Stewart
Michael Jackson with " Beat It and Billy Jean "
The Moody Blues
Bob Marley and the Wailers
Born This Year in 1983
Adam Driver
Born: November 19th, San Diego, CA
Mila Kunis
Born: August 14, Chernivtsi, Ukraine
Donald Glover
Born: September 25th, Edwards, CA
Chris Hemsworth
Born: August 11, Melbourne, Australia
Aaron Rodgers
Born: December 2th, Chico, CA
Amy Jade Winehouse
Born: September 14th, Enfield, United Kingdom
Calendar For The Year 1983
Major World Political Leaders
Australia Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser Till 11 March
Australia Prime Minister Bob Hawke From 11 March
Brazil President João Figueiredo
Canada Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau
China Chairman of the People's Republic of China Li Xiannian
France President François Mitterrand
Germany Chancellor Helmut Kohl
India Prime Minister Indira Gandhi
Italy Prime Minister Amintore Fanfani Till 4 August
Italy Prime Minister Bettino Craxi From 4 August
Japan Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone
Mexico President Miguel de la Madrid
Russia / Soviet Union
Chairman of the Council of People's Commissars Yuri Andropov
South Africa Prime Minister Pieter Willem Botha
United States President Ronald Reagan
United Kingdom Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher
FAQs
What was the biggest news story of 1983? ›
U.S. Statistics. Second space shuttle, Challenger, makes successful maiden voyage, which includes the first US space walk in nine years (April 4). US Supreme Court declares many local abortion restrictions unconstitutional (June 15).
What happened in January 1983? ›January 25 – President Reagan delivers his second State of the Union Address to the 98th Congress. January 26 – Lotus 1-2-3 is released for IBM-PC compatible computers. January 30 – The Washington Redskins defeat the Miami Dolphins by a score of 27–17 in Super Bowl XVII.
What was the No 1 song in 1983? ›Dexys Midnight Runners' track was just one of the catchy hits to top Billboard charts in 1983. Another sticky track that year was Michael Jackson's “Billie Jean,” which held its No. 1 spot for a whopping seven weeks, right before “Come On Eileen” knocked it off its top position for good in April.
What kind of music was popular in 1983? ›From the gender-bending antics of Eurythmics and Culture Club to the propulsive synthpop of Depeche Mode, New Order, and the Human League, was there ever a more spectacular time for music?
What was invented in 1983? ›January 1, 1983 is considered the official birthday of the Internet. Prior to this, the various computer networks did not have a standard way to communicate with each other. A new communications protocol was established called Transfer Control Protocol/Internetwork Protocol (TCP/IP).
What happened in 1983 with nuclear war? ›1983 Soviet nuclear false alarm incident
In 1983 was the during the cold war, relations between America and the Soviets were strained. Three weeks before 26th September, the Soviets had shot down a Korean plane because it crossed into Soviet airspace.
February 23 – Alabama becomes the first U.S. state to enact an antitrust law. February 28 – The first vaudeville theater is opened, in Boston, Massachusetts. Congress authorizes first steel vessels in the United States Navy. Susan Hayhurst becomes first woman to get a pharmacy degree in the United States.
What happened on November 1983? ›7, 1983. Susan Rosenberg (left) and Linda Sue Evans, two of those charged in the 1983 Capitol bombing, are pictured. At two minutes before 11 o'clock in the evening on this day in 1983, a thunderous explosion tore through the second floor of the U.S. Capitol's Senate wing.
What happened on January 3 1983? ›Just after midnight on January 3, 1983, a small fissure opened within Napau Crater on Kilauea Volcano, spewing red-hot lava. Within hours, additional fissures stretched 6 kilometers (4 miles) down the volcano's East Rift Zone.
What was the number 1 Christmas song in 1983? ›The Flying Pickets performing the Christmas number one, Only You. Their debut single was released in November 1983, reaching the top of the charts and remaining at Number One for five weeks.
Why is the year 1983 important to the field of music production? ›
Perhaps the single most important development in music technology since sound-on-sound recording, MIDI, saw the light of day in 1983, and it became implemented across various important synthesiser and keyboards, which led to huge developments in how bands could use these instruments.
What was the biggest selling album of 1983? ›Michael Jackson's sixth album Thriller spent twenty-two weeks at number one, sold more than fifteen million copies to become the best-selling album of 1983, and won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year.
What was the biggest event in TV history? ›The following is the list of the all-time most watched single-network television broadcasts in the United States by average viewership, according to Nielsen. Of the 32 most-watched broadcasts, 30 are Super Bowls. Super Bowl XLIX, with 114.4 million viewers, is number one.
Was there nearly nuclear war in 1983? ›Most Americans are unaware that in 1983, in the midst of President Ronald Reagan's first term, the world came close to nuclear Armageddon. The 1983 incident was at least as dangerous as the Cuban Missile face-off in October 1962.
Which country has been a nuclear free zone since 1983? ›Australia. Many Australian local government areas of Australia have passed anti-nuclear weaponry legislation; notable among these are Brisbane, capital of Queensland, which has been nuclear weapon free since 1983, and the South and North Sydney councils.
What is the safest state to live in if there was a nuclear war? ›Some estimates name Maine, Oregon, Northern California, and Western Texas as some of the safest locales in the case of nuclear war, due to their lack of large urban centers and nuclear power plants.
What happened in the year 1833? ›Slavery Abolition Act, (1833), in British history, act of Parliament that abolished slavery in most British colonies, freeing more than 800,000 enslaved Africans in the Caribbean and South Africa as well as a small number in Canada.
What is the significance of the year 1893? ›May 1 – The 1893 World's Fair, also known as the World's Columbian Exposition, opens to the public in Chicago, Illinois. The first United States commemorative postage stamps are issued for the Exposition. May 5 – Panic of 1893: A crash on the New York Stock Exchange starts a depression.
Can I watch 1883 on Netflix? ›Is 1883 available on Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime or Peacock? While the first three seasons of Yellowstone stream on Peacock, 1883 can only be found on Paramount+. It is not available through any other streaming service or on cable TV.
What happened in October 1983? ›This Day in History: October 23
On this day in 1983, suicide bombers drove truckloads of high explosives into the barracks of U.S. Marines and French paratroopers in Beirut, killing 241 U.S. servicemen and 58 French troops.
What happened April 18th 1983? ›
The April 18, 1983 United States embassy bombing was a suicide bombing in Beirut, Lebanon, that killed 32 Lebanese, 17 Americans, and 14 visitors and passers-by. The victims were mostly embassy and CIA staff members, but also included several US soldiers and one US Marine Security Guard.
What happened on 1st October 1983? ›1 October – The Concorde supersonic airliner paid its first visit to Dublin Airport. The landing of the Air France plane was watched by a large crowd from the observation deck on the roof of the terminal building. The flight came to bring passengers to Paris to see a horse race, the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
What is the significance of January 3rd? ›January 3rd is the third day in the Gregorian calendar. On this day, Turkey made peace with Armenia, the March of Dimes was established to help fight polio, and Minnie D. Craig was elected the first woman Speaker of the North Dakota House of Representatives. Famous birthdays include Cuba Gooding, Jr.
What happened on December 3rd in history? ›This Day in History: December 3
On this day in 1984, a gas leak from a Union Carbide plant in Bhopal, India, spread over a populated area, resulting ultimately in 15,000 to 20,000 deaths and leaving some half million survivors with chronic medical ailments.
This Day in History: January 3
On this day in 1521, Pope Leo X issued the papal bull Decet Romanum Pontificem, excommunicating Martin Luther, the German priest whose questioning of certain Roman Catholic practices initiated the Protestant Reformation.
May 5 – Panic of 1893: A crash on the New York Stock Exchange starts a depression. May 9 – Edison's 1½ inch system of Kinetoscope is first demonstrated in public at the Brooklyn Institute. June 9 – The front part of Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C. collapses, killing 22 War Department clerks and injuring 68 others.
What happened in September 1983? ›On 26 September 1983, during the Cold War, the nuclear early-warning radar of the Soviet Union reported the launch of one intercontinental ballistic missile with four more missiles behind it, from bases in the United States.
What was the biggest snack trend of 1983? ›1983: Ranch Dressing
This sent its popularity skyrocketing. Ranch versions of all sorts of snacks soon followed—most notably, Cool Ranch Doritos in 1986.
February 23 – Alabama becomes the first U.S. state to enact an antitrust law. February 28 – The first vaudeville theater is opened, in Boston, Massachusetts. March 2 – The Hong Kong Observatory is established. March 20 – The Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property is held.
What happened during the Panic of 1893? ›The Panic of 1893 was a true and severe financial panic lasting from May of 1893 to November, 1893, with a run on currency, and banks closing, and businesses and manufacturers not being able to open because they had not cash to pay workers or buy materials.
What was most responsible for causing the depression of 1893? ›
The Panic of 1893 was a depression set off by the failure of two of the largest employers in the country: The Philadelphia and Reading Railroad and the National Cordage Company. The stock market plummeted as businesses that had borrowed heavily to invest in railroads went bankrupt.